Kobie Dozier

The Harlem Meer Performance Festival is back with a fresh new lineup! Join the Central Park Conservancy on August 2, 2026, for a performance by saxophonist Kobie Dozier.

MEET THE ARTIST: A Q&A WITH KOBIE DOZIER

How would you describe your music or performance style?

My music speaks to a commitment to music as a message of love and healing. My original music meshes genres ranging from the roots of jazz, rap, R&B, and funk. You’re guaranteed to be moved listening to my arrangements that have a message in the music.

What does a live audience feel, hear, or experience when they see you perform?

My audience tends to feel a sense of connection and empowerment from my music. I take inspiration from multiple cultures when composing my music, and I seek to create powerful communal experiences in my performances. Audience members can be seen dancing, singing, and enjoying each other’s presence in my performance spaces.

What makes the experience memorable is not only the music, but the communal experience. My performances bring together a diverse audience of music enjoyers of all ages who consume jazz all at different levels. My goal with all of my shows is to show my roots in jazz while showcasing how I'm shaped in the sound of "now."

What inspires your work?

I'm influenced by artists all across the diaspora. I take inspiration from musicians/artists such as Fela Kuti, Kamasi Washington, Venna, Cleo Sol, Kokoroko, Yussef Dayes, and more. I want to blend my roots in West Coast jazz with my taste in UK-inspired jazz and more.

What is the connection between your work and the Harlem community?

My music is inspired by Harlem’s legacy as a birthplace for Black art, culture, and jazz. Through performing and collaborating within my community, I try to carry that tradition forward while connecting with people today. This is my way of honoring the past and contributing to Harlem’s living musical culture.

ABOUT THE HARLEM MEER PERFORMANCE FESTIVAL

The Harlem Meer Performance Festival is a beloved annual tradition, filling Central Park with music and movement on select Sundays throughout the summer. The festival is free, and all ages are welcome. Check out our Event FAQs for more information and join our mailing list to receive event updates.

COMMUNITY EVENTS BY THE CENTRAL PARK CONSERVANCY

Central Park Conservancy community events reflect the spirit of the Park itself: fun, free, and open to all. Join us all year for family-friendly programs across Central Park—featuring music, movement, art, film, and more—creating a culture of connection in the Park we all love.